Automatic control for dispensing machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming and/or vending machine, which is actuated by the insertion of a coin or note, and comprising a plurality of switch elements and electrical conductors which are movable relative to the switch elements when the machine is in use, actuation of the machine dispensing unit being determined by the final relative position of the switch elements and electrical conductors.

United States Patent Powell [451 Man-28, 1972 [541 AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR 2,267,599 12/1941 Brad! ..273/143 DISPENSING MACHINE 2,812,182 11 1957 Fiorino ..273 143 [72] Inventor: Cyril E. Powell Rathfamham Ireland 3,052,472 9/1962 Aumuller ..273/l42 [7 3] Assignee: Consolidated Coin Company (Ireland) Primary E miner-Samuel F. Coleman Llmned: Dubhn Ireland Attorney-McGlew and Toren [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1969 AB [2i] Appl. No.: 788,484 [57] STRACT A gaming and/or vending machine, which is actuated bythe I insertion of a coin or note, and comprising a plurality of switch CCll 1 elements and elec me 31 conductors which are movable relative [58] Field oi e ii ciii..............,..:fiiii iifiioiii 9 10 2 92 switch elements when machine is 194 93; 221 125 129 20 1, 3: 9; 273 141: 0f the machine dispensing unit being determined by the final 1422 1429 143; 133/5 relative position of the switch elements and electrical conductors.

[56] References Cited Q 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures F/EJ W4 PATENTEUMAR28 1972 3,651.98?

sum 1 or 3 I S36 Attorneys PATENTEnMza m2 SHEET 3 [IF 3 I noenlor CXBILEDWQKD mm A ttorney;

The present invention relates to gaming machines and/or vending machines.

Certain known constructions of gaming machines suffer from the disadvantagesthat, being of mechanical construction, the machines are both bulky and complex. Such machines require considerable maintenance and inspection to ensure that a player has a reasonable chance of success and to keep the machine operative.

Gaming machines of the kind mentioned basically comprise apparatus into which a player may insert a coin andpull a lever to actuate a mechanical mechanism, which operation causes to be shown on one or more display screens arapidly changing series of images or symbols, each of which stops in turn to produce a fixed sequence of images or symbols, the final sequence determining the result of the game and a favorable combination causing the machine to deliver a prize or prize token to the successful player.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages referred to.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus comprising a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of banks normally isolated conductors, with each of said switch elements being movable for a predetermined period of time relative to one of said banks of electrical conductors, and a dispensing unit operable, upon closure of an electrical circuit through said switch elements and electrical conductors, to dispense one or more articles.

Advantageously, the apparatus includes a further bank of electrical conductors associated with each switch element, each conductor in said further bank of conductors being operatively associated with display means which is adapted to project a rapidly changing sequence of symbols representing movement of the associated switch element with reference to one of the first bank of conductors.

The plurality of switch elements may be activated by a plurality of time mechanisms, each switch element being separately connected to one of said timing mechanisms and being operable for a predetermined time period.

Advantageously, each switch element constitutes the rotary wiper arm of a stepping relay of conventional construction, the stepping relay being associated with an operating circuit which progressively energises and deenergizes the coil of the stepping relay so that the rotary wiper arm is moved, in rapid step-by-step motion, around the disc of the stepping relay, the banks of conductors referred to being provided on said disc or being associated with further conductors on said disc.

Each of the operating circuits preferably comprises an electrical capacitor and an associated resistor, the capacitor being in series electrical connection with the coil of the stepping relay and the resistor being in parallel electrical connection with said condenser, the arrangement being such that upon energization of the coil the movable contact of the stepping relay isolates the resistor until the capacitor charges to a degree such that the voltage across the coil is insufiicient to hold the movable contact whichthen connects the resistor across the capacitorcausing the latter to discharge following which the coil is re-energized, the process described being continuously repeated so long as a voltage is present across the coil and capacitor combination.

If desired, each of the timing mechanisms comprises an initiating relay in association with which is a capacitor and a variable resistor, the arrangement being such that the relay coil, when energized, provides power for operation of one of the stepping relays, said coil being energized until the capacitor charges to a predetermined level, whereupon the coil is deenergized, power for operation of the stepper relay being available until the capacitor has discharged through the resister.

The apparatus may include a coin acceptor which, upon receipt of a coin, closes a circuit which causes operation of said relays. Furthermore, the apparatus may also include a currency note acceptor of known construction, the arrangemer t being such that, on receipt of a currency note of appropriate denomination, the currency note acceptor closes the circuit which causes operation of the initiating relays.

The invention will hereinafter be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only, preferred embodiments thereof, and wherein,

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a combined gaming. and vending machine according to the invention, 7

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows an element of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows an element of FIG.'2, and v FIG. 5 is a .transistorized circuit diagram of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. '2. i 1

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, theapparatus shown comprises gaming and vending'mechgnism 11 with whichis operatively connected acoin acceptor. l2, a'currencynote acceptor 13, a display unit 14, a,dispensing unit; 15

and a coin pay unit 16.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an element of FIG. 2, and comprises a conventional Schrach stepping relay 19 (type RT 304, 4 X l2) having a 48 volt, 280 ohm coil 20, the armature (not shown) of which is movable to close or open contacts 21,21a and 7 21b. Connected in series with the coil 20 is a 50 microfarad capacitor 22 which is connected in parallel with a resistor 23, the latter. being in series connection with the contact 21b.

When a voltage of a magnitude of U0 volts is imposed across the terminals of the circuit shown in FIG. 3 (the capacitor 22 being initially uncharged), capacitor 22 commences to charge and the coil is energized. Upon energization of the coil 20, the contactsZla and 21b are closed. During charging of capacitor 22, the voltage across the coil falls below a predetermined level, the latter being insufficient to hold the coil armature which returns to its normal rest position, thereby closing the contacts 21a and 21b. The capacitor 22 then discharges through the resistor 23 and the process described is repeated so long as thevoltage of volts is applied across the terminals of the circuit. Each time the armature of the relay is moved by energisation of the coil 20 .the four conventional wiper arms (not shown) of the steppingrelay are advanced and, consequently, rapid step-by-step rotary movement of the wiper arms around the contacts of the insulated disc of the stepping relay, for a purpose which will be described hereinafter, is achieved.

In FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings is shown schematically theterminals of a simple conventional direct current relay (Schrach 110 volts). The relay coil (not shown) is connected across terminals 31 and 32. The relay armature is operable upon energisation of the relay coil, to move contacts 33 and 34 from connection with the normally closed contacts 36 to the normally open contacts 35. When the coil is not energised, the contacts 33 and 34 are connected to the normally closed contacts 36.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the currency note acceptor l3, coin acceptor 14, display unit 15, dispensing unit l6and the coin pay unit 17 all comprise conventional wellknown mechanisms and, for the sake of clarity, said mechanisms will not be described in detail. The display unit shown, however, represents a pantascope of known construction.

Stepper motors 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d represent stepping relays identical to the construction described with reference to FIG. 3. Furthermore, FIG. 2 contains a plurality of relays, hereinafter for convenience termed coin relays 40, 50, 70, delays 80, 90, 100, safety relay 110, time relay 120, win relay 130, buy relay 140, dispensing relays 150, 160, currency note relay and pay coin relay 180, all of which relays, unless the context otherwise denotes or requires, are identical to the relay described with reference to FIG. 4.

For the sake ofconvenience, the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings will hereinafter be described by referring to the operation of the circuit in response to the following steps:

a. insertion of a coin or token to play a game b. insertion of a currency note to play a game c. insertion of a currency note to purchase an article d. insertion of a coin to purchase an article a. Insertion of a coin or token to play a game When a coin is inserted into the coin acceptor 14, the contacts 7 and 190 are bridged. Ground potential is thus applied at terminal 81 of delay 80 through contacts 143 (on buy relay 140), 149b, 158 (on ticket relay 150) and 159. Coil terminals 81, 91 and 101 are bridged and thus ground potential is applied at one side of the coil of each of the delays 80, 90 and 100. Contacts 83, 93 and 103 on the delays 80, 90 and 100 are each at a potential of 110 volts and are electrically connected to coil terminals 82, 92 and 102 respectively. Thus, upon closure of the contacts 7 and 190 on the coin acceptor l4 following insertion of a coin thereinto, a potential of 110 volts is applied across the coil of each of the delays 80, 90 and 100, each of which is therefore energised simultaneously.

Upon energisation of the delays 80, 90 and 100 the normally open contacts 84, 94 and 104 are electrically connected to the movable contacts 83, 93 and 103 respectively thus applying a potential of 110 volts to each of the stepper motors 18a, 18b and 18c. So long as the potential of l 10 volts is applied to the stepper motors, the latter will operate, in the manner described with reference to FIG. 3, to cause movement of the wiper arms 61, 62 and 63 in successive contact with conductors 67, 67a and 67b respectively and simultaneously with terminals 68, 68a and 68b respectively, the latter being associated with three pantascopes 69, one only of which is shown in FIG. 2. During each movement of each of the stepper motors 18a, 18b and 18c, an image is shown on the appropriate pantascope screen and said images are continuously changing so long as the stepper motors are operating. The time during which the potential referred to is applied to each of the stepper motors 18a, 18b and 18c is determined by the time of energisation of each of the delays 80, 90 and 100 which are respectively associated with a capacitor 88, 98 and 108 in parallel with which are variable resistors 89, 99 and 109, the latter being adjusted so that the delays 80, 90 and 100 remain energised for periods of 3,4 and 5 seconds respectively.

When the delays 80, 90 and 100 are deenergized, power to the stepper motors 18a, 18b and 18c is interrupted and the wiper arms 61, 62 and 63 are stationary. If the dispositions of the wiper arms 61, 62 and 63 are such that there is no electrical connection between the said wiper arms and the conductor 67, 67a and 67b the apparatus is thus inactivated and the game is lost.

On the other hand, however, if electrical contact through the wiper arms 61, 62 and 63 and the conductors 67, 67a and 67b is made, ground potential is imposed on terminal 131 of win relay 130. Since terminal 132 is at] volts, win relay 130 is accordingly energized. Contacts 134 and 135 are then closed, energising the dispensing unit 16. Simultaneously, the stepper motor 18d (which is identical to each of the stepper motors 18a, 18b and 180) is operated. Each time the wiper arm 64 moves from contact with one of the conductors 67b to another of the conductors 67b, an article is dispensed. When the wiper arm 64 reaches the conduit 67b to which the wiper arm 63 is electrically connected, contact 133 is grounded and the win relay 130 is deenergized. The connection between the contacts 134 and 135 is thus broken and the ticket dispensing unit is deactivated. The stepper motor 18d continues to operate, however, until the wiper arms 64 completes one revolution and returns to the position shown in FIG. 2.

If the wiper arm 61 comes to rest on terminal 65, ground potential will be imposed on terminal 182 of pay coin relay 180 if a win sequence is not achieved. When delay 80 is then de-energised following its predetermined time of operation, a potential 110 volts is impressed at contact 35 which is transmitted to terminal 122 energising time relay 120 and thereby making contacts 123 and 124. The potential of 110 volts is thus impressed upon contact 123 from whence it is transmitted to terminal 181. Pay coin relay 180 is thus energised causing operation of the coin pay unit 17 which dispenses three coins in known manner. Coin pay relay 180 is then deenergized by discharge of the capacitor 185 through resistor 186. Contacts 183 and 184 are thus broken before any further coins are dispensed.

The purpose of the time relay 120 is to ensure that, if a win is achieved causing activation of the ticket unit 16, payment of coins by operation of the coin pay unit 17 cannot simultaneously be made by virtue of the win arrangement involving contact between wiper 61 and contact 65. Operation of time relay 120 is delayed by the intermediary of condenser 125 across the coil terminals 121 and 122 and if the win relay 130 is energized prior to operation of the time relay 120, the latter is rendered inoperative since, upon operation of the delay 80, a voltage of l 10 volts is present on contact 83 and is transmitted through contact 85 to terminal 122 on the time relay 120, the last-mentioned voltage serving to render ineffective the time relay 120.

b. Insertion of a currency note to play a game The currency note acceptor 13 (which is of conventional construction) is arranged to receive a currency note which has a value four times that of the coin. When a currency note of the appropriate denomination is inserted into the currency note acceptor 13 and has not been rejected, contacts 220 and 221 on the currency note acceptor are closed. Contact 221 is at ground potential and, accordingly, said potential is impressed at terminal 171 of the currency note relay 170. Since terminal 172 is at a potential of 110 volts, the currency note relay 170 is energized causing closure of the contacts 173 and 174.

Terminal 161 on the ticket relay 160 is also at ground potential and terminal 161 is connected, via contacts 173, 174, 146, 149, 159 and 158, to terminal 81, 91 and 101 on the delays 80, 90 and 100 respectively: therefore, terminals 81, 91 and 101 are also at ground potential. Consequently, delays 80, 90 and 100 operate in the manner described above and the game is played.

In addition to the fact that the game is played, however, change in the form of coins or tokens are due to the player. Terminal 182 on the pay coin relay 180 is connected, through contacts 176, 175, and 149a to contact 144 on the buy relay 140, and since contact 144 is grounded, it follows that terminal 182 is also at ground potential. In addition, however, terminal 181 is directly connected to terminal 123 on the time relay 120. Consequently, when the delay 80 is de-energized time relay 120 is energized and a potential of 110 volts is applied at contact 123 and to terminal 181. Therefore, the coin pay relay 180 is energized causing activation of the coin pay solenoid which dispenses three coins in the manner described above.

Reference has been made to safety relay 110. The movable contact 115 of the safety relay is permanently connected to the wiper arm 61. When the game is being played, the safety relay 110 is energised, since ground potential is impressed at terminal 112 (the latter being connected to contact 106 on delay 100 through contact 114). Upon energisation of the safety relay 110, contact 115 is connected to contact 107 on delay 100 and hence ground potential is not present on wiper arm 61 while the wiper arms 61, 62 and 63 are rotating. If the foregoing were not the condition, the win relay would be energized while the stepper motors 18a, 18b and were in operation.

When the delay 100 is deenergized, the safety relay 110 remains energized since ground potential is then present on contacts 113 and 114. Contacts 105, 107 and 115 are also connected and are at ground potential and the wiper arm 61 is at the same potential.

The safety relay 110 prevents the possibility of successive operation of the dispensing unit 16 which might otherwise occur following a win being achieved, if the power were cut off or interrupted and immediately reapplied.

c. Insertion of a currency note to purchase an article When it is desired to buy an article or ticket with a currency note, the buy selection switch 210 is depressed thereby closing contacts 211 and 212 and grounding terminal 141 on the buy relay 140, contact 211 being at ground potential. Since delay 81) is not energized, contacts 83 and 85 of delay 80 are at 110 volts and are directly connected to terminal 142 of the buy relay 140. Therefore, buy relay 140 is energized immediately following closure of the buy selection switch 210.

Upon energization of buy relay 140, contacts 144 and 145 are closed and since contact 144 is at ground potential, the latter potential is maintained as long as the buy relay 140 is in operation.

When a currency note is then inserted into and accepted by the conventional currency note acceptor 13, contacts 220 and 221 are closed. Since contact 221 is at ground potential, it follows that contact 220 and terminal 171 (on the currency note relay 170) are also at ground potential and because terminal 172 is at a potential of 110 volts, the currency note relay 170 is energized. Contacts 173 and 174 and contacts 175 and 176 are then closed. Contact 173 is directly connected to terminal 161 on the ticket relay 160 and since terminal 161 is grounded, contacts 173 and 174 are also grounded. Contact 174 is directly connected to contact 146 on the buy relay 140 which is then energised causing closure of contacts 146 and 147 which places contact 146 at ground potential. Since contact 147 and terminal 151 (on the ticket relay 150) are permanently connected, ground potential is then impressed on terminal 151. Terminal 152 of the ticket relay 150 is permanently connected to contact 85 of delay 80 and is accordingly at a potential of 110 volts. Therefore, ticket relay 150 is energized causing closure of contacts 153 and 154 and contacts 155 and 156 through the intermediary of which power is provided to the dispensing unit 16.

Terminal 162 on the ticket relay 160 is permanently connected to contact 154 which is at a potential of 110 volts so long as the ticket relay 150 is operative: furthermore, terminal 161 is permanently at ground potential. Consequently, ticket relay 160 is energized when ticket relay 151] is operative. The potential of 110 volts across the coil of the ticket relay 150 discharges to ground through the capacitor 150a causing deenergisation of both the ticket relays 151) and 160. Power to the dispensing unit 16 is thus interrupted. The capacitor 150a is of a value such that the ticket relays 150 and 160 are deenergized following dispensation of one article by the dispensing unit 16.

d. Insertion of coins to purchase an article W hen it is desired to purchase an article with four identical coins whose value equals that of the currency note referred to, the buy selection switch 210 is depressed and the buy relay 141) is energised as hereinbefore described.

The delay 80 is inoperative, contact 85 is at a potential of 1 volts. Furthermore, contact 85 is connected through contacts 153, 157 (on the ticket relay 151)), 163, 164 (on the ticket relay 160) to terminals 42, 52 and 72 on the coin relays 40, 50 and 70 respectively, the latter terminals being permanently connected to contact 164. Consequently, terminals 42, 52 and 72 are each at a potential of 1 10 volts.

Contact 145 on the buy relay 140 is permanently connected to terminals 41, 51 and 71 on the coin relays 40, 50 and 70 and contact 144 on the buy relay 140 is at ground potential. Accordingly, upon energisation of the buy relay 140 following depression of the selection switch 210, each of the coin relays 40, 50 and 70 are energised.

Upon energization of coin relay 70, contacts 73 and 74 are closed and the capacitor 191 of the coin acceptor 14 is charged through its normally closed contact 6. If a coin is then inserted into the coin acceptor 14, contacts 7 and 190 are closed and the capacitor 191 instantaneously discharges, sending a pulse of magnitude 110 volts through contacts 190, 7, 143, 148 and 43, to terminal 44, which pulse causes deenergization of the coin relay 40 by neutralizing the effect of the potential of 1 10 volts which is present at terminal 42. The capacitor 191 then re-charges in the manner described. Upon insertion of a second coin into the coin acceptor 14, the capacitor 1191 again discharges instantaneously sending a pulse of magnitude volts through contacts 190, 7, 143, 148, 43, 45, 53 and 54 to terminal 51, which pulse causes deenergization of the coin relay 50.. The capacitor 191 again recharges.

When a third coin is inserted into the coin acceptor 14, the capacitor 191 is again discharged, sending a pulse of magnitude 110 volts through contacts 190, 7, 143, 148, 43, 45, 53, 55, 75 and 76 to terminal 71, causing de-energization of the coin relay 70. Inactivation of the coin relay 70 breaks the connection between contacts 73 and 74 and the capacitor 191 does not recharge and contact 190 remains at ground potential.

Upon insertion of a fourth coin, ground potential is transmitted through contacts 7, 143, 148, 43, 45, 53, 55, 75 and 77 to terminal 151 on the ticket relay and since terminal 152 is at a potential 1 10 volts, the ticket relay 150 is energized.

Consequently, contacts 153 and 154 and contacts 155 and 156 are closed, thus energizing ticket relay 160 since terminal 162 is permanently connected to contact 154. Simultaneously, contacts 4 and 5 are closed, thereby activating the dispensing unit 16 and causing one article to be dispensed.

The circuit diagram of a transistorized embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings. In place of each of the stepper motors described with reference to FIG. 2, the circuit of FIG. 6 shows a multivibrator 284 and a plurality of flip-flop vibrators 280, 281, 282 and 283.

The pantascope lamps 351, 352, 253, 354, 455, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361 and 362 are powered through transistors 3311, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340 and 341 respectively. Each of the transistors referred to is arranged to pass current only when the four associated base diodes are passing current derived from the transistors of the vibrators 280, 281, 282, 283 and 284.

The transistors 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 and 327 are adapted to pass current through conductor 306, 307, 308, 303, 310, 311, 312 and 313 respectively, the latter being connected to the diodes. For the sake of clarity in appreciating the operation of the circuit of FIG. 5, the connections between the last-mentioned conductors and the diodes are not shown.

Following insertion of a coin or currency note to play the game in the manner described with reference to FIG. 2, the free-running multivibrator 284 is switched on. One of the transistors in each flip-flop vibrator will be conducting and the other will be switched off. lf, on switching on the multivibrator 284, transistors 320, 322, 324 and 326 are conducting, conductors 3116, 308, 310 and 312 are conducting, transistor 341 is conducting and pantascope lamp 362 is lighting. Operation of the multivibrator in known manner will cause progressive changes in the states of the transistors 320 to 328 inclusive, causing the sequence of operation set forth below, for convenience, in the form of a Table:

Conducting Transistors Pantascope light on 1. Apparatus comprising a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of banks of normally isolated conductors, each of said switch elements being movable for a predetermined period of time relative to one of said banks of electrical conductors, and a dispensing unit operable upon closure of an electrical circuit through said switch elements and electrical conductors, to dispense one ormore articles, the plurality of switch elements being activated by a plurality of timing mechanisms, each switch'element being separately connected to one of said timing mechanisms and being operable for a predetermined time period.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which each switch element constitutes the rotary wiper arm of a stepping relay of conventional construction, each stepping relay being associated with an operating circuit which progressively energizes and de-energizes the coil of the stepping relayso that the rotary wiper am is stepped around the disc of the stepping relay, each of the timing mechanisms comprising an initiating relay in association with which is a capacitor and a variable resistor, the arrangement being such that the relay coil, when energized, provides power for operation of one of the stepping relays, said coil being energized until the capacitor charges to a predetermined level, whereupon the coil is de-energiz ed, power for operation of the stepping relay being available until the capacitor has discharged through the resistor.

3. Apparatus comprising a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of banks of normally isolated conductors, each of said switch elements being movable for a predetermined period of time relative to one of said banks of electrical conductors, and a dispensing unit operable, upon closure of an electrical circuit through said switch elements and electrical conductors, to dispense one or more articles, each switch element constituting-the rotary wiper arm of a stepping relay of conventional construction, each stepping relay being associated with an operating circuit which progressively energizes and de-energizes the coil of the stepping relay so that the rotary wiper arm is moved, in rapid step-by-step motion, around the disc of the stepping relay.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said banks of conductors are provided on said disc.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said banks of conductors are associated with further conductors on said disc.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which each of the operating circuits comprises an electrical capacitor and an associated resistor, the capacitor being in series electrical connection with the coil of the stepping relay and the resistor being in parallel electrical connection with said condenser, the arrangement being such that upon energization of the coil the movable contact of the stepping relay isolates the resistor until the capacitor charges to a degree such that the voltage across the coil is insufficient to hold the movable contact which then connects the resistor across the capacitor causing the latter to discharge following which the coil is re-energized, the process being continuously repeated so long as a voltage is present across the coil and capacitor combination. 

1. Apparatus comprising a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of banks of normally isolated conductors, each of said switch elements being movable for a predetermined period of time relative to one of said banks of electrical conductors, and a dispensing unit operable upon closure of an electrical circuit through said switch elements and electrical conductors, to dispense one or more articles, the plurality of switch elements being activated by a plurality of timing mechanisms, each switch element being separately connected to one of said timing mechanisms and being operable for a predetermined time period.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which each switch element constitutes the rotary wiper arm of a stepping relay of conventional construction, each stepping relay being associated with an operating circuit which progressively energizes and de-energizes the coil of the stepping relay so that the rotary wiper arm is stepped around the disc of the stepping relay, each of the timing mechanisms comprising an initiating relay in association with which is a capacitor and a variable resistor, the arrangement being such that the relay coil, when energized, provides power for operation of one of the stepping relays, said coil being energized until the capacitor charges to a predetermined level, whereupon the coil is de-energized, power for operation of the stepping relay being available until the capacitor has discharged through the resistor.
 3. Apparatus comprising a plurality of switch elements and a plurality of banks of normally isolated conductors, each of said switch elements being movable for a predetermined period of time relative to one of said banks of electrical conductors, and a dispensing unit operable, upon closure of an electrical circuit through said switch elements and electrical conductors, to dispense one or more articles, each switch element constituting the rotary wiper arm of a stepping relay of conventional construction, each stepping relay being associated with an operating circuit which progressively energizes and de-energizes the coil of the stepping relay so that the rotary wiper arm is moVed, in rapid step-by-step motion, around the disc of the stepping relay.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said banks of conductors are provided on said disc.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said banks of conductors are associated with further conductors on said disc.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which each of the operating circuits comprises an electrical capacitor and an associated resistor, the capacitor being in series electrical connection with the coil of the stepping relay and the resistor being in parallel electrical connection with said condenser, the arrangement being such that upon energization of the coil the movable contact of the stepping relay isolates the resistor until the capacitor charges to a degree such that the voltage across the coil is insufficient to hold the movable contact which then connects the resistor across the capacitor causing the latter to discharge following which the coil is re-energized, the process being continuously repeated so long as a voltage is present across the coil and capacitor combination. 